FGCU Lake still closed after drowning

For almost two months, the waterfront at FGCU was closed after a student drowned. Wednesday, the university sent a memo to students, faculty and staff informing them of the changes at the lake and when students can swim in the lake again.

"With the lakefront being closed and everyone knows the reason why, it's been a very weird feeling on campus," said FGCU senior Evan Lemkuil.

The signs warning students to stay out of the water still remind them of the tragic accident in June when a well-known classmate drowned.

Lemkuil was a friend of Joel Johnson.

And with the center for many water activities closed, he says it's been a strange summer.

But Wednesday, for the first time since the university closed the site, the vice president of student affairs sent a memo to students, faculty and staff saying:

"After review of the current condition of the lakefront, it has been determined that the only waterfront services that can be offered prior to the completion of the new Campus Recreation Building will be the ski boat operation for wake boarding, tubing, and waterskiing."

Those activities will happen at this temporary dock when it opens up next Friday.

But the university says it won't be until January of next year, when the construction of the new waterfront building will be complete and students will be able to swim again.

That memo went on to state:

"Other access to the water will continue to be prohibited until construction on the new Campus Recreation Building is completed...Campus Police, along with Campus Recreation staff will monitor the area and report any violators."

Until then, the signs and fences will serve as a constant reminder of how important the university values student safety.

"I totally trust the university. I know they're trying to do what's best for the students and I know they don't want anything to look like this again. Of course it was an accident, but they're going to do anything they can from keeping it happening again," Lemkuil said.